Lake Powell sprawls down through Utah's Glen Canyon National Recreation area, with shorelines in both southern Utah and northern Arizona. This favorite houseboating destination lets floating visitors enjoy the surrounding miles of hiking and biking trails, along with kayaking and other water sports. If you choose to camp at Lake Powell rather than rent a houseboat, you can choose between developed campgrounds in the area and dispersed camping at water's edge.

Types of Camping

Visitors to Lake Powell can choose the type of tent-camping experience they want while vacationing on its shores. Adventurous campers can rent a boat and explore coves and canyons around the lake, pitching their tents in remote locations. Designated campsites for dispersed camping located around the lake give campers a second option. These sites have vault toilets and the company of other campers in the area. A few campgrounds around Lake Powell cater to RVers as well as tenters, with hot showers and access to electricity and Wi-Fi. Be prepared to pay admission fees to the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, as well as boat access fees and campground fees.

Developed Campgrounds

To camp in comfort, reserve a spot at one of Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas' (lakepowell.com) four campgrounds located around the lake. On the Arizona side of the lake, Wahweap Marina RV Park and Campground gives campers access to electricity, a swimming pool and hot tub in addition to free Wi-Fi. Showers and restrooms, as well as picnic tables and barbecue grills are provided. On the Utah side, Bullfrog, Halls Crossing and Hite Marina campgrounds provide sites with electrical hookups. All three have restrooms, showers, barbecue grills and picnic tables, as well as access to nearby marina amenities such as stores and boat docks.

Dispersed Campgrounds

The National Park Service operates dispersed campgrounds around the lake. These primitive campgrounds have no designated sites or fire rings. They do have multiple vault toilets located throughout, and are close to marina services. Lone Rock Campground at Wahweap Bay on the Arizona side of the lake has potable water, microflush toilets and vault toilets, and campers can use cold outdoor showers to rinse off sand. Campers will find additional dispersed campgrounds at Bullfrog Bay, midway along the lake on the Utah side, as well as in the far northern reaches near Hite Marina.

Beach Camping

Visitors may boat or backpack to any beach on the lake that suits them. You don't need a permit to camp on the lake's shoreline, but you must still pay the park entrance fee, as well as a lake access fee if you have a boat or paddlecraft. Campers must pack in their own water and pack out all refuse, including human waste. The park service requires use of an NPS-approved "waste-bag containment system" that uses chemicals to allow the bag to be disposed of in regular trash. Pets are allowed to camp with you on the beach, providing you pick up their waste too. Rangers perform regular visual and water quality checks around the lake to ensure campers are adhering to the rules.